Judas had a front row seat to the Light of the world in human flesh, yet Judas lived in darkness.

How?

How could a human heart be exposed to the most loving, caring, truthful, light-filled person to ever live, yet live in darkness?

What does that say about the natural state of our hearts? What does that say about the power of the light?

Compare Judas and Peter. Two people whom Jesus chose. Two people exposed to the same amount of light. Two very different outcomes.

Judas gave the right answers and did breathtaking miracles. He was the book-keeper for Jesus’s ministry, which meant everyone agreed he was the most responsible and trustworthy of all those in Jesus’s inner circle.

Hindsight showed/revealed to everyone that Judas was not what he seemed to be. Jesus knew from the beginning Judas did not believe (John 6:64). Jesus spent an entire night talking with the Father about who the chosen 12 would be – the very ones who would bring the message of truth and light to the world. Jesus chose Judas while knowing that Judas would betray Him.

Peter also had a front row seat to the Light of the world. Peter lived/experienced/had spectacularly good days (Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God) and stunningly bad days (I don’t know who Jesus is). Jesus chose Peter yet knew Peter would deny Him.

How do you explain their experiences with the light of Jesus?

As an old man, Peter, writing to other Christians, reflected on his experience of being exposed to the Light of the world.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (I Peter 2:9)

Peter was filled with gratitude. Judas was filled with greed.

Even if words fail to explain extent of your lostness or the beauty of Jesus it is worth it to be delivered by Jesus from darkness. The human heart is dark and is responsible for what it has seen, yet it responds to light. You do not have to have answers to all your questions to thank God for how the light of the glory of Jesus opened your eyes and chased away the darkness of your heart.

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Scott Boles is the Lead Pastor at MapleRidge Church
in Maple Grove, MN. He grew up in a church-going home but did not have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ until he was in high school. He and his wife, Marcie, were married in 1985 and have two adult children. His hobbies are playing hockey, reading history, and following current events.